16th Century Metalwork

We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense. And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way th...

Katana in koshirae Signed: Bishu Osafune Sukesada Saku Dated: Genki 3 Nen 8 Gatsuhi* - Muromachi Period, 1572 - NBTHK Hozon Token - Measures: ...

We Japanese introduce unique items with unique aesthetics, purchasing routes and methods that no one can imitate. This is what is called a hanging Buddha. (Called kakebutu in Japan) A hanging Buddha is a cast of a disk and a Buddha statue, and was hung at a temple. It can be said to be one of the genres of Japanese cultural properties. And this Kakebutsu is believed to date from the 16th century to the beginning of the 17th century. In other words, it is from the latter half of the Muromachi period to the beginning of the Edo period. Originally it was gold, but the color has faded and turned black to copper. However, this Buddha statue still has gold. It is rare for gold to remain, indicating that it is in good condition. The name of this Buddha statue is "Yakushi Nyorai...

Katana, Osafune Kiyomitsu Mumei, Osafune Kiyomitsu Late Muromachi Period (1392-1573), circa 1560 - NBTHK Hozon Token - Nagasa [length]: 74.3 cm Sori [curvature...

Japanese bronze water bowl which has led a previous life within a Buddhist temple, possibly as a vessel offering water for the cleansing of many hands, or perhaps placed at a doorway, providing nurture to a passing bird or animal. It would happily find it's place and tell it's story within your courtyard, or at your front door, sing it's song to all who pass, your favourite flowers adrift on the water it holds in it's lotus shaped arms. From the Momoyama period...

Superb and precious Samurai Wakizashi Sword with superior mountings and Shirasaya. With crests of the Hikone-Tachibana (Ii-clan) on the sword Habaki (sword collar) (The Ii became pow...

A 32 iron-plate samurai helmet (sujibachi kabuto) decorated with silver "nunomezogan choji-karakusa" with a clove and ivy motif. The four cardinal plat...

The figure has been cast in iron. There are traces of polychrome red lacquer that was highlighting the robe, and the petals of the double lotus base. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China. Guanyin is known to be the female bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy to East Asian Buddhism. Her full name is Guan Shi Yina; Guan means to observe, watch, or monitor, Shi means the world, Yin means sounds, specifically sounds of those who suffer. Thus, Guanyin is believed to be a compassionate being who watches for and responds to the people in the world who cry out for help. To be compassionate is the supreme Virtue of Mahayana Buddhism. She is also associated with vegetarianism, being an act of compassion toward animals. Guanyin was introduced to China as early as the 1st century AD and spread to Japan through Korea soon after Buddhism was first introduced into the country in the mid seventh century. Historically, the worship of Guanyin was represented as the male Indian Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who is portrayed as a healer to the sick and injured. When the worship of Avalokitesvara migrated into China it was worshiped in its masculine form. Since Avalokitesvara is considered to be the personification of compassion and kindness, and these traits are associated with the Chinese concept of Yin, the feminine aspect of creation, the representation of Avalokitesvara in China metamorphosed to an all female form around the twelfth century due to Taoist influence on Buddhism. Avalokitesvara has the largest number of forms and is the most popular Buddhist deity. Guanyin is thought to be neither male or female but in accordance with the lotus sutra the body can take on any form necessary to relieve suffering. In a modern period, Guanyin is to be depicted as a beautiful woman wearing a white flowing robe (white representing purity) who brings wealth and children made by her devotees. This depiction derives from the earlier Pandaravaisni also known as Padmapani in the sanskrit from. The name Padmapani means "born of the lotus", the lotus leaf symbolizing purity, peace, and harmony. Along with the white flowing robe, Guanyin is also often shown wearing necklaces or adornments of Indian and or Chinese royalty...